A multi-venue biennial arts festival, taking place in Norwich from July 14 to August 31 2007, promises to showcase the best of international contemporary art and put Norwich firmly on the cultural map.

Contemporary Art Norwich 2007 is a collaboration between participating venues across the city – The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, EAST International at Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Commissions East, Norwich Arts Centre, OUTPOST and The Garage – that will give emerging and established artists the opportunity to show their work in range of diverse arts events from exhibitions to live performance.

Jitish Kallat, The Lie of the Land-3, 2004. Courtesy of the artist

AfterShock: Conflict, Violence and Resolution in Contemporary Art, at The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, is inspired by Indian artists’ responses to religious intolerance, riots, terrorism and the ongoing nuclear stand-off with Pakistan.

The exhibition features 16 international artists, such as Indian artist Jitish Kallat, who explore through the media of film, paint and sculpture the images of political and social violence that people face on a daily basis.

Bruce Lacey, My Life In Therapy, 2007. Photograph by Suzanne Fossey

Expect the unexpected at Norwich Arts Centre, which is showing a retrospective of the work of one of Britain’s great eccentrics – Norfolk-based surrealist artist, actor and performer Bruce Lacey. Previous collaborations include The Goons, The Beatles, comedian Lenny Bruce and poet and singer Ivor Cutler.

The Centre also hosts Rub Me Up The Wrong Way, an innovative and explosive live art event, and a moving installation of images, video and sculpture by Iranian artist Zory.

Karsten Bott, Museum of Life, 2007. Courtesy of the artist

The culmination of a 20-year project, German artist Karsten Bott fills the galleries of Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery with his Museum of Life, an installation of discarded household objects including everything from teapots to a bathroom sink.

The Norwich biennial looks set to become a major cultural event that will give arts in the East of England a welcome boost.

“Contemporary Art Norwich 2007 presents an opportunity for Norwich residents and visitors, both those who are new to contemporary art and frequent gallery goers, to experience the rich pool of creative talent to which the East of England is home,” said Alison McFarlane, director Contemporary Art Norwich 2007.

She continued: “The biennial contributes to the cultural wealth of the city and welcomes artists from across the country and abroad to the city’s many art venues with the support of Arts Council England, East and Norwich City Council.”